Primary sources are original materials created during the time under study. They provide firsthand evidence and include items like letters, photographs, diaries, official documents, and artifacts. For example, a historical letter written by a famous leader can offer insights into their thoughts and decisions. These sources are valuable for research because they allow historians and scholars to interpret events directly from the perspective of those who experienced them. Unlike secondary sources, which analyze or summarize primary sources, primary sources present unfiltered information, making them essential for understanding history and culture.